The global life sciences microscopy devices market is growing at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2014 to 2020. The market’s value in 2013 was US$1,656 million. If the estimated CAGR holds true, the market’s value by 2020 will be US$2,614 million.

The global life sciences microscopy devices market involves all microscopy instruments that have added value through utility and innovation in their fields. Their goal sounds simple – to capture images of any form or matter in the minutest detail possible. It is by using these microscopes that scientists can conduct studies and research on cell structures, synapses, neurons, and assess the next steps to be taken by the scientific field.

One of the rather unique features of the global life sciences microscopy devices market is that the demand for equipment is highly specific more often than not. This is because the type of microscope changes according to the objective of the study and even the type of sample acquired.

Regardless, the equipment finds high demand from all academic and scientific organizations across the world. Examples include optical microscopes used for simple research conducted in most academic organizations. A few research labs also make use of the simple optical microscopes.

However, the price of most optical microscopes is higher than what most academic institutions in emerging countries can afford. Therefore, there are situations where the demand is present, but the avenues to procure the equipment are not. This market restriction seems to be getting cleared as more and more economies are showing their buying potential by investing in scientific and commercial industries. What this means for optical microscopes is a broader base of use across the globe. Optical microscopes are increasingly being used in advanced life science research.

In other parts of the global life sciences microscopy devices market, we see the rapidly growing segments of phase contrast and fluorescence microscopes, due their scope of use in the fields of toxicology, pathology, and biology.

In a brilliant example of how the global life sciences microscopy devices market works towards improving science and biology, scientists of the University of Houston have developed a new method they used to screen cells for advanced cancer treatments. The cell screening technology allows for the isolation of high-performance immune system cells and can prove to be a breakthrough treatment for a wider range of cancer patients.

Some of the top players in the global life sciences microscopy devices market are Carl Zeiss AG, Hitachi High-technology Corporation, FEI, JEOL Ltd., and Nikon Corporation. The life sciences division of Leica Microsystems, for instance, is able to support the imaging requirements of a large part of the scientific community through constant innovations and technical expertise. Olympus Microscopy is one of the leaders in the global life sciences microscopy devices market and supplies opto-digital products meant for the industries of medicine and science.

The recent advancements in materials and construction processes of microscopes should provide some respite to the high prices of equipment in the global life sciences microscopy devices market. For now, prices of units range from US$2,200 to US$825,000 and even beyond. While most of the lower-range microscopes are in higher demand, we could see their price drop in a very positive signal for the fields of medical and scientific research.